Random dribble from Rob including heaps of music, anything to do with guitars and far too much cycling for anyone.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

World Wide Woozle episode #413

I've had a bit of writers' block lately. I've been listening more to old favourites as well rather than new stuff. There is, however, something to be said for just getting back on the horse so here we are folks.

That's an old clip from Jason. He's a lot healthier and slimmer these days but the voice and the passion remain. The song, "Outfit", is from his days playing with Drive-By Truckers and to me has a clear nod to lyricists like Springsteen (The River). This one should be a Southern blue collar anthem.

Politics across the world is in a dreadful state and it's getting worse. One country has a leader who spends more time watching TV and on Twitter than he does actually thinking about the consequences of his actions. And then there's the spineless, self-serving political establishment who just don't get that their juvenile schoolyard behaviour impresses no-one. Top that off with ill informed racists, bigots and hooligans and it's enough to drive you insane.

I spent some money recently on a new (second hand) amplifier, CD player and speakers. The amp from 1973 has finally given up the ghost. If you're in Canberra and looking for some decent stereo gear at a decent price then head to Duratone in Phillip. I'd avoided the place for years because it sells seriously high end stuff but that turned out to be a mistake. This track is what I tested the speakers out with.

Hopefully you've all caught up with the news that Midnight Oil have reformed and are heading out on a world tour. Having spent years now learning, playing and thinking about their music I thought I wouldn't want to go if they played again. Again I was wrong. I can't wait to see them hit the stage. I think the last time I saw the Oils play was in Brisbane on a stinking hot evening (indoors) in about 1999. Power and passion is a good way to describe their show.

Weezer have four self titled album. One is blue, one green, one red and the latest one is white. Funny guys. The blue one is the classic with the Buddy Holly song on it and after that I guess I stopped paying attention until quite recently. The white Weezer album just sounds fantastic. It's like Weezer made my dream Weezer LP. See what you think...

The Dropkick Murphys are an awesome, high energy, celtic punk band from Boston. And although I really like their stuff the shouted vocals sometimes grate. They have a recent release called, "11 Short Stories of Pain and Glory" and I highly recommend it. There's also a really good "acoustic" concert recently released here.

Lookout reasonably soon for some original recordings from the band. We've pretty much finished one track and have another four getting ready. We've also been working up some new cover versions with the intent of playing some shows before too long. No-one should be shocked that the range of cover songs is rather wide!

DJ ZedBoots has exited stage left for the next phase on the never ending adventure that is her life - studying to become a Paramedic. One could never accuse her of standing still! She left on Thursday and I miss her a lot. I hope Queensland is ready for her.

I'm sitting here in my "studio" just browsing through the CDs thinking of something to close the show. I haven't played you any Steve Earle for a while and this seems like a decent song to leave you with.